An Onitsha High court, Anambra State on Tuesday discharged and acquitted three persons, Wilfred Ezike Mgbiligba, Chosom Amakaeze and Paul Anozie and sentenced one Sunday Emenike to 21 years imprisonment for the murder of Akachukwu Ezebuilo.
Tribune Online gathered that the four who were arraigned on a four-count charge of conspiracy and murder were during the trial accused of the murder of Akachukwu Ezebuilo at No. 1, Zik’s Avenue, Fegge Onitsha on 10th September 2018.
According to the charge they were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder of Akachukwu Ezebuilo and another two-count charge of conspiracy and attempted murder of Nnamdi Obumse.
The four had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges claiming that they were not at the scene of the incident on a fateful day.
Delivering the judgment, Justice S.N. Odili said the trio of Wilfred Ezike Mgbiligba, Chisom Amakaeze and Paul Anozie, proved beyond reasonable doubt that they were not involved and present in the murder of the deceased on the day in question.
He, however, did not exonerate Sunday Emenike from involvement in the conspiracy and attempted murder of Nnamdi Obumse, saying his defence statement was not able to convince the court of non-involvement.
“I am convinced from what he told the court that he was involved in the conspiracy and attempted murder of Nnamdi Obumse.
“It has been proved beyond reasonable doubt that he was involved and I hereby sentence him to four years imprisonment for conspiracy and 21 years for the attempted murder of Nnamdi Obumse. The sentences are to run concurrently,” the judge said.
Pleading for mercy, counsel to the convict, Barr. K. K. Oguejiofor said that the convict was a first offender and had conducted himself orderly throughout the four years he was in detention.
The lead counsel to the accused, Barr. Chuma Oguejiofor had in his contribution said that he was happy that his friend, Wilfred Ezike Mgbiligba, has been set free.
Commending the judge, other defend counsels and plaintiff counsels, he however posited that they may head to Appeal court after going through the certified true copy of the judgment sheet to get a better judgment for the convicted Sunday Emenike.
Also, two other counsels for the defendants, Barristers Emmanuel Ezemenari and Lawrence Ndukaihe, said that they were 11 accused persons out of which seven were earlier discharged and acquitted for want of evidence.
“We may appeal the judgment after studying it to give better judgment to Sunday Emenike.”
Commending the judge for a job well done, the counsel to the plaintiffs, Barr Gozie Obi, said that, “it was a well-deserved judgment for the convict.
“He is a danger to society, he should go in for the crime he committed.
“He was arrested at Awkuzu SARS while he was facing another crime that investigation was going on.”
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